Veteran Ghanaian actor, William Addo, aka Akpatse, has made a passionate appeal to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and other philanthropists to help save his sight.
Akpatse is losing his sight and needs GH¢ 40,000.00 to undergo surgery and further treatment else he risks becoming completely blind.
The actor, who is well remembered for his roles in several Ghanaian films, drama on television and theatre performances, can no longer move without help and is thus confined to his home.
He made the appeal when the Graphic Showbiz visited him at his home at Tefle near Sogakope in the Volta Region.
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The 69-year-old actor narrated that in 2016, he was diagnosed of a combination of glaucoma and cataract but he was able to undertake series of tests and surgery to correct the problem with the support of some friends.
According to Akpatse, after that operation, life returned to normal for him as he was able to go about his daily activities.
However, he was unable to meet the financial demands for regular medication as a retired person and as a result, his vision again started waning in 2018, a situation he described as ‘scary’.
Upon another assessment, he said, it was discovered that the glaucoma had returned, leaving his eyes in a worsened state as he was no longer able to see.
“Luckily after the assessment, I have some people who have assured me that all hope is not lost and that I can regain my sight if I am able to raise GHc40,000 for my treatment once and for all.
“The cost however is beyond what I can afford as a retiree that is why I want my story to be heard for anyone touched to come to my aid”, he said, adding that he had been suffering from other ailments that were equally a drain on his pocket.
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Talking about how serious his ailment was, Akpatse said: “I can’t see so now my movement have been disturbed greatly.
“If you put me anywhere now, I will get lost because, I won’t know where the north, south, east or west is. I can’t pick a call or read messages on my phone without help”, he added.
Appealing particularly to the President of the nation, Akpatse, who believes that he still has a lot to offer the Ghanaian film industry, said: “Please President, I have served my nation well.
“I still believe there are a few more I can do especially nurturing the youngsters to keep our industry alive. Please don’t wait for me to die. Help me now that I need it most”, he appealed.
He expressed gratitude to benevolent individuals who have been of great help to him since his problem started and asked for God’s blessing upon their lives.
Mr Addo, known on the screens as Akpatse, shot to fame through the popular series TV Theatre and has featured in many movies.
In addition to that, he has held some key positions in the industry, including being a Director at the National Theatre, a lecturer at the University of Ghana Theatre Arts Department, Director of Programmes at the National Commission on Culture and former Volta Regional Director for the Centre for National Culture.
He was instrumental in the establishment of the Ghana Actors Guild and worked at GBC where he introduced the programme Get Involved, which focused on problems in Ghanaian communities and their solutions.